Pedestrians hit by police car

The two were part of a group on the A61 Wakefield Road near Staincross, Barnsley, who were being questioned at the time by West Yorkshire police officers.

The marked South Yorkshire police vehicle was heading towards Wakefield on unrelated duties when the collision took place.

The road was closed off for several hours after the incident until late Sunday morning.

Inspector Michael Green, of West Yorkshire Police, said the group were being questioned in ‘routine inquiries’ close to the county border.

“West Yorkshire Police officers in a marked police vehicle were carrying out routine inquiries with a group of people on Wakefield Road, in Barnsley, when an unconnected South Yorkshire Police marked vehicle, travelling in the direction of Wakefield, was in collision with two members of the group,” he said.

“A male adult received serious head and leg injuries and his condition is regarded as critical.

“A female adult received non-life threatening leg injuries.

“Neither of the police vehicles - the West Yorkshire Police vehicle which was stationary or the South Yorkshire Police vehicle which was in collision with the two persons - was involved in any pursuit.

“The incident is being investigated by the West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Department and has also been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.”

The injured people were initially taken to Barnsley District General Hospital but the man was subsequently transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, in Sheffield, for further treatment.

IPCC Commissioner Rebecca Marsh said: “Our investigation will focus on the circumstances of this incident and the actions taken by both South and West Yorkshire police officers in the moments leading up to the collision.

“Our investigators have already attended the scene and undertaken a full scene assessment.”